(ST. JOHN'S, NFLD.) - In the first quarterfinal matchup of the Subway AUS men's soccer championship at King George V Park, fourth-place UPEI defeated fifth-place Acadia 3-1 to advance to tomorrow's semifinals.
Acadia controlled most of the play in the first 20 minutes but it was the Panther' third-year forward James Mallard (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) that put one in the back of the net 26 minutes in.
The Axemen were quick to try and even things up as midfielder Cooper Coats (Halifax, N.S.) took a shot on goal just two minutes later but UPEI's Mark Ashlee (Victoria, B.C.) made a defensive save preventing the goal.
At that half the score was 1-0 for the UPEI Panthers with four shots by Acadia and three for UPEI.
The Axemen broke through in the first minute of the second half, as defenceman Andrew Snyder (Bridgewater, N.S.) got one past UPEI keeper Nathan Ford (Warren Grove, P.E.I.).
UPEI then turned up the heat, moving most of the play to the Axemen's half. Acadia's defence was able to fend off six free kicks from the Panthers.
Acadia made two back-to-back attempts on the net in the 75th minute but one was saved by Ford, and the other went wide.
Just seconds later, the Panthers took control of the ball and Kieran Moore (Cornwall, P.E.I.) netted a goal for the Panthers assisted by Mallard. Jared Murphy (Winsloe, P.E.I.) then provided some insurance for the Panthers as the clock hit 79:59, bringing UPEI's tally to three.
The Panthers and Axemen traded a few more chances in overtime but the game would go to the Panthers with a score of 3-1.
The Subway player of the game was Kieran Moore for the winners. Andrew Snyder took player of the game honours for the Axemen.
UPEI will now move onto the championship semifinals on Saturday. They will face off against the Cape Breton Capers in the second of two semi-final matchups at 5 p.m.
Source: Memorial Sports Information